WORCESTER City youth team manager Mark Owen has urged football fans to head to Studley tonight (7.45pm) to cheer his young guns on in the FA Youth Cup first round proper against Halesowen Town.

It is the first time in the history of the club’s youth section that they have reached this stage of the famous competition and a tantalising tie at Sheffield United is on offer for the winners.

Former Worcester City striker Owen is hoping for a bumper turn-out and admitted how proud he is of his players, who are affiliated to City and based out of Worcester College of Technology.

He said: “I think what they have already achieved is absolutely fantastic and they have made the club and the college really proud.

“Whatever they do now is just a bonus and it would be incredible if they could go on to play against an ex-Premier League side like Sheffield United.

“It is the first time the side has ever reached this stage of the competition, so there is no pressure on the lads from that point of view because win, lose or draw they have already done better than any youth side in Worcestershire before.

“The incentive ahead of tonight’s game is the chance to play against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

“To make sure we are fully prepared, my assistant and I went to watch Sheffield beat Oldham on penalties in the previous round.

“They both looked to be good sides, but you never know.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves, though, and Halesowen will be very tough to beat.

“I have not been able to watch them play, but I have spoken to a lot of people who know their players and we have been working hard on our preparations for the game.”